Columba College
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use New Zealand English Template:Infobox school/short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Columba College is an integrated Presbyterian school in Roslyn, Dunedin, New Zealand. The roll is made up of pupils of all ages. The majority of pupils are in the girls' secondary, day and boarding school, but there is also a primary school for boys and girls in years 1–6.
History
.jpg){kind=link}
Columba College was established in 1915 by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand as a private day and boarding school for girls with co-educational primary classes. The Rev'd Alexander Whyte was a key figure in the foundation of Columba College, through his vision for a Presbyterian girls' school.[1]
Columba College was created from two earlier Dunedin girls' schools, Girton College and Braemar House. Girton College had been founded in 1886 by the first woman graduate of the University of Otago, Caroline Freeman, who sold it to Frances Ross in 1891. Ross then purchased Braemar House and combined it with Girton College.
Frances Ross was appointed by the Presbytery of Dunedin as the first Head Mistress of the newly created Columba College in 1914. The schools moved to the current site at Bishopscourt, purchased from the first Anglican bishop for Otago and Southland, Bishop Nevill. The large house there had been designed by William Mason and built in 1872.
Whereas most church schools took a conservative view of girls' education, Columba built on the traditions of Girton College. High educational standards were set, while due attention was given to music, physical training, domestic science and, of course, religious instruction. The differing abilities and aspirations of the pupils were acknowledged and fostered. Ross expected a great deal from her girls and was not disappointed. Columba girls took prizes, scholarships and degrees at university and made their mark in a range of occupations.[2]
Grace Mackintosh was a Scottish-born teacher who became the principal in 1930. She appeared to be religious. She had difficulty in coping with the climate and the job. She suffered with arthritis and making routine decisions. She left after three years when she was appointed at the head of Presbyterian Ladies' College, Pymble.[3]
Columba College was integrated as a composite school under the terms of the Private Schools' Integration Act effective 31 January 1994.[4]
Boarding facilities
Attached to the school are boarding facilities, catering for approximately 110 students, both domestic and international from years 9 to 13. Students live in one of two on-campus buildings, Katharine Buchan House or Bishopscourt.
Enrolment
As a state-integrated school, Columba College charges compulsory attendance dues plus requests voluntary donations. For the 2025 school year, the attendance dues payable is $2,034 per year while the requested donation is $2,160 per year.[5]
As of Template:NZ school roll data, the school has a roll of Template:NZ school roll data students, of which Template:NZ school roll data (Script error: No such module "Math".%) identify as Māori.Template:NZ school roll data
As of Template:NZ school equity index data, the school has an Equity Index of Template:NZ school equity index data,Template:NZ school equity index data placing it amongst schools whose students have Template:NZ school equity index data socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 9 and 10 under the former socio-economic decile system).[6]
Notable alumnae
- Frances Hodgkins – artist, at Braemar HouseScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
- Cilla McQueen – poet[7]
- Greta Stevenson – botanist[8]
Notable staff
- Irene McInnes - New Zealand netball administrator
- Template:Annotated link
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Template:DNZB
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
Template:Schools in Otago Template:Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia schools Script error: No such module "Authority control".